War and Politics:
Lincoln, Virginia and the Election of 1864
How did the bloody military stalemate in Virginia affect the presidential election of 1864?
Also, how did candidates and generals respond to events during that long summer?
George B. McClellan - Primary Source Documents
During the spring/summer of 1864, the Democratic Party waited anticipated failure by Grant in the Virginia Overland Campaign. A stalemate in these military manuvers could possibly aid Democrats in winning the Presidency in the fall election and allow their candidate, George McClellan, to avenge his removal from the Army of the Potomac in 1862.
Below are documents created by George McClellan. Click on the image to the left of
each document description to see the full document.
George McClellan to Samuel S. Cox
June 20, 1864
Summary:
McClellan responds to an earlier letter where Cox discusses the postponement of the Democratic Party convention. This move is seen as a political ploy by the Peace Democrats, hoping to allow enough time for Grant's Virginia campaign to fail, luring more to support an end of the war.
Notable Quote:
"I fully agree with you and although I had a long conversation with Gov. S[eymour] I was not onvinced by his arguments...but as a matter that would seem to involve me personally I cannot express myself as I otherwise would."
Courtesy of
The Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan: Selected Correspondence, 1860-1865
Edited by Stephen W. Sears
Page 579
George McClellan to Samuel L.M. Barlowe
September 23, 1864
Summary:
McClellan responds to information provided by Barlowe in a previous letter that Lincoln claims to have proof of McClellan correspondence from 1861 advocating dictatorial powers. McClellan denies the existence of such a letter. There are also discussions of the lack of communication from Pendleton (vice-presidential running mate).
Notable Quote:
"I have carefully thought over the matter & cannot think of anything I ever wrote or said that could be tortured into giving Lincoln advice in question...it is a lie out of the whole cloth."
Courtesy of
The Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan: Selected Correspondence, 1860-1865
Edited by Stephen W. Sears
Pages 602-603
George McClellan to William T. Sherman
September 26, 1864
Summary:
McClellan writes to congratulate Sherman in his success in the Atlanta Campaign, especially considering the hurdles of long communication lines. McClellan also offers his condolences for the loss of General MacPherson, killed in Atlanta.
Notable Quote:
"..,on the principle that it is better late than never I will even at this late day express to you my sincere & heartfelt appreciation of the remarkable campaign you have just completed."
Courtesy of
The Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan: Selected Correspondence, 1860-1865
Edited by Stephen W. Sears
Pages 604
George McClellan to E. D. Townsend
November 8, 1864
Summary:
On November 8th, Abraham Lincoln won the presidential election. In response, McClellan resigned from the Army and traveled to Europe with his family.
Notable Quote:
"I have the honor to resign my commission as a Major General in the Army of the U.S.A, with the request that it may be accepted to take effect today."
Courtesy of
The Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan: Selected Correspondence, 1860-1865
Edited by Stephen W. Sears
Pages 618
George B. McClellan Nomination Acceptance
September 8, 1864
Summary:
On August 29, George McClellan was nominated as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate. During that nomination convention, the party elected a platform largely written by Clement Vallandigham, leader of the Anti-War Copperhead movement, that declared the war a failure and demanded an immediate end to hostilities. Most consider this to be the undoing of the Democratic Party in the 1864 election.
Notable Quote:
"The preservation of our Union was the sole avowed object for which the war was commenced. It should have been conducted for that object only, and in accordance with those principles which I took occasion to declare when in active service…"
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
George F. Train to George B. McClellan
August 31, 1864
Summary:
Two days after McClellan's nomination, George F. Train wrote with words of advice. Train was an American entrepenuer who felt the Democratic Party platform was unwinnable, told McClellan he had to either fully accept of reject it, and also told him the best course of action was to drop out of the race and through negotiations be named Secretary of War.
Notable Quote:
"I have done my best to save the Democratic Party from ruin, as hendreds of delegates will testify; but the blind confidence of the K[now] N[othing]'s, the strange infatuation of the A[lbany] R[egency] and the rash expenditure of A.B. were too much for its salvation."
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
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